Watershed Conservation Authority

Established in 2003, the Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA) is a local public entity of the State of California exercising joint powers of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Effectively serving as a partnership between these two public agencies, the WCA’s purpose is to provide increased accessibility and availability of open space and recreation. Actives and projects also seek to provide for the conservation, restoration, and environmental enhancement of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers Watershed area, consistent with regional efforts to provide for flood protection, water supply, groundwater recharge and water conservation.

Since its creation, the WCA has acquired 4 properties totaling 193 acres, all of which are at various stages of being established as protected open space or parkland. The WCA also works with regional partners, where the WCA has no land ownership, to plan or implement an additional 9 ongoing projects.

As a joint powers authority (JPA), the WCA’s ability to implement projects and acquire land are common powers shared by the JPA Partners, and are specifically identified in an agreement known as the WCA Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement. Other powers such as eminent domain have not been granted, and the WCA is subject to all laws, regulations, general and specific plan regulations of any city or county in which any action is proposed.

Funding is primarily provided by grants from other governmental agencies, with other limited funding from JPA Partner contributions and lease revenues generated from WCA properties. The WCA seeks to diversify its funding with private and/or other sustained funding sources.

For more information, please visit our website at watershedconservationauthority.org. Our offices are located at 100 N. Old San Gabriel Canyon Road Azusa, CA 91702.